Neighbours were initially evacuated before the fire was brought under control.

The spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue also said it was likely the house was so badly damaged the family would not be able to return today.

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16:02

UK Power Network now at the house

One fire engine, a police car and four power network vans are all that remain at the house.

16:01

"I could see the smoke from where I live"

Ms Austin who lives in Osprey Road, haverhill, says she could see the smoke as she drove to the family home.

“It was awful. I’m just grateful my brother got out safe and nobody was hurt.

“Everything on the top floor,at least, is gone. I don’t think there’s anyway to get upstairs.

“It’s hard to tell where to go from here.”

15:58

The house was built by Michael and Patricia Austin in the early 70s

The house has been a family home since it was built and has still not been handed back to the family.

15:56

Fire possibly caused by electrics.

Ms Austin said fire crews think they have located where in the bedroom the fire began but are still investigating the cause, which is looking like it might be electrical.

15:54

The family are still in the process of arranging where to stay

Ms Austin said: All the arrangements have still to be made. My mum and dad are with friends this afternoon and my brother Michael is with another brother just now. He’s traumatised.”

15:52

"The smoke alarm saved my brother"

Ms Austin said: “The smoke alarm woke him, it saved his life, He had been asleep in the next room.

“By the time he came downstairs and called 999 the first floor was all filled with smoke.”

15:49

Couple had been on way to visit grandchildren when they got the call

Ms Austin said: “My brother Michael was home alone, my mum and dad were on their way to see grandchildren in the midlands. They had a phone call from someone they know who could see the smoke, so they turned around and came straight home.”

15:46

Family devastated after the home they built 40 years ago was ravaged by fire

Selina Austin, whose parents and brother live at the property, says her family do not know what will come next.

15:43

The house will be uninhabitable for some time

The wreckage of the house at Bladon Way, Haverhill

15:42

Firefighters are about to leave

The wreckage of the house at Bladon Way, Haverhill

14:51

Neighbours were not home

The smoke billowed out and headed left of the property but neighbours report that some people in neighbouring properties were not home at the time.

14:47

Fire was extinguished by noon

Firefighters at the scene confirmed the blaze was extinguished by noon today.

Neighbours were allowed back to their homes.

14:46

Fire will remain at the large family home until they are confident there is no more fire risk

Three fire vehicles are still on the scene and will stay at the home dampening down and checking for hot spots withing the house.

They expect to be here for at least another two hours.

14:44

The family will not be able to return for some time

Brickwork above the first floor bedroom window has started to cave in and the entire roof of the house has gone.

Commander Nunn said: “They won’t be getting back in for a long time. The entire roof has been destroyed.”

14:42

Fire service say the house was too dangerous for firefighters to tackle from inside

Stationcommander for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Dale Nunn said: “When we arrived the fire was well developed on the first floor and quickly spread to the rafters and loft space.

“Crews did enter the house using breathing apparatus but it was then deemed an unsafe structure and crews withdrew.”

“It was external fire fighting from that point on.”

14:39

Lots of smoke could be seen billowing from the house

Mr Ives said: “The smoke was coming out the rood and people just wanted to make sure the family were safe and everyone was out.”

14:37

Video from the scene

14:36

"It sounded like gun shots"

Neighbour Mark Ives, who lives on the corner of Bladon Way and Blenheim Close, said he heard what sounded like gun shots at around 9.30am.

“I heard all this cracking, almost like gunshots but it was just the glass breaking.

“You could see the flames at the front window and just panicked that it would spread.”

14:33

Only one member of the family was home

The son of the family was the only person home, he raised the alarm after hearing the smoke alarm.

Neighbours saw the son out on the front lawn and brought in just some shorts and brought him clothes to keep him warm.

14:30

Flames were seen at bedroom window

Our reporter Rachael McMenemy says the fire started on the first-floor front bedroom and then went into the loft space, taking off the whole roof.

A family member raised the alarm after the smoke alarm went off and flames were seen at the bedroom window.The fire service has started an investigation.

14:19

Firefighters are staying for a couple more hours

They’re going to damp down and check for hotspots

14:18

The roof has been destroyed

The fire at Bladon Way, Haverhill

14:17

The extent of the damage can be seen

14:04

Water is no longer going into the house

That’s been nearly four hours

13:55

Reporter heading to the scene

We’re on our way - the fire service said they are going to be there some time...

13:09

Cross county fire response

Fire crews from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire were called to Bladon Way in Haverhill at 9.27am today (August 13).